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OUR HERITAGE

A global shipping line born from one family’s love of the sea.

Founded and owned by Captain Gianluigi Aponte, we are proud to have a 40 year heritage within the container shipping industry.

What makes our history unique is the family culture and values that have remained throughout the growth of the company; from operating just one second-hand ship to over 480 vessels, globally. Understanding our history is understanding our company, culture and values.

Mr Aponte’s family originate from the Peninsula of Sorrento, Italy, a region with deep maritime roots. The family’s records date back to the 17th century. In 1970, Mr Aponte started MSC in Brussels as a tramp operator with one second-hand ship, carrying breakbulk. This vessel was named the MSC Patricia.

Since our inception, the company has held the philosophy of ‘where the customer goes, MSC goes’ and this has fuelled our organic growth over the last four decades.

As MSC’s fleet has grown, so too has our team. Many of the Captains and crew members who worked on-board our vessels in the beginning years are now using their extensive industry knowledge and experience to lead the company as Managers and Directors. This demonstrates a loyalty which is rare in the shipping industry.

The story of how MSC has grown from a one ship operation to the world’s leading privately-owned container shipping line is one that we are all proud to be part of at MSC.